The Department of Health and Human Services has issued a warning to consumers of bagged lettuce product amid confirmed links to a number of salmonella out breaks.
The Lettuces are grown and distribute by Tripod Farmers. Tripod Farmers is issuing a national voluntary product recall for the lettuce and there will be ongoing testing and monitoring of all products from the company.
The contaminated lettuce is sold through both Coles and Woolworths supermarkets labelled as “Coles 4 Leaf Mix”, “Woolworths salad mix”, “SupaSalad, “Supamix” and “Wash N Toss salad mix”.
All these products have best before dates leading up to and including February 14.
DHHS medical adviser Finn Romanes recommends people with these products should either return them to the place of purchase or bin them.
Urgent Recall For Bagged Lettuce Due To Salmonella Outbreak
Dr Romanes said the discovery had been made because of a higher-than-usual number of cases of the salmonella anatum strain.
“Normally we only see a handful of cases of this strain each year, but so far this year there have been 28 adult cases of salmonella anatum “” mostly adults “” notified to the Department,” Dr Romanes said.
“As a result of following up the food histories of a number of people we have discovered a common source “” the Tripod Farmers lettuce.
“Tests of three products from two batches have also tested positive for salmonella anatum bacterium.”
DHHS confirmed that the Tripod premises had been inspected and a “full and thorough clean-up” had been executed.
DHHS said the infection was a form of gastroenteritis and could affect anyone, with symptoms occurring between 6 to 72 hours after the bacteria is ingested, including diarrhoea, fever, headache, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and dehydration.
UPDATE 5/2/16:
These are the products which have been recalled across the country as per Food Standards Australia:
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Woolworths Baby Spinach 100g 14/02/2016
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Woolworths Baby Rocket 100g 14/02/2016
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Woolworths Gourmet Mix 100g 14/02/2016
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Woolworths Fresh Cut Loose Baby Spinach 1kg 14/02/2016
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Woolworths Fresh Cut Salad Loose Mesculin 1kg 14/02/2016
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Wash N Toss Watercress 100g 14/02/2016
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Wash N Toss Sorrel 50g 14/02/2016
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Wash N Toss Baby Cos 100g 14/02/2016
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Wash N Toss Baby Spinach 100g 14/02/2016
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Wash N Toss Salad Mix 100g 14/02/2016
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Wash N Toss Wild Rocket 100g 14/02/2016
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Wash N Toss Kale 100g 14/02/2016
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Coles Australian Baby Spinach 60g 11/02/2016
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Coles Australian Baby Rocket 60g 11/02/2016
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Coles Australian Baby Rocket 120g 11/02/2016
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Coles Australian Spinach & Rocket 120g 11/02/2016
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Coles Australian Baby Spinach 120g 11/02/2016
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Coles Australian 4 Leaf Salad 120g 11/02/2016
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Coles Australian 4 Leaf Salad 200g 11/02/2016
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Supa Salad Supa salad 180g 14/02/2016
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Supa Salad Green Coral 180g
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Supa Salad Supamix 1kg
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Supa Salad Spinach 1kg
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Supa Salad Rocket 1kg
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Supa Salad Baby Cos 1kg
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Supa Salad ALH 1kg
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Supa Salad Spinach 180g
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Clear Film Blend
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Clear Film Spinach
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Clear Film Baby Cos
Package description and size
Pillow bag, ranging in sizes from 50g 1kg
and 1kg punnets
Date marking
Use by Up to and including 14/02/2016
Country of origin
Australia
Reason for recall
Microbial (salmonella) contamination
Distribution
Coles, Bi-Lo VIC, NSW, SA, NT & ACT
Woolworths ACT, VIC, NSW
and other independent outlets (including some Foodworks stores, Aussie Farmers Direct and fruit and vegetable shops) in NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, NT and ACT.
Consumer advice
Food products contaminated with salmonella may cause illness if consumed. Consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice. The products can be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.